Cup vs. Cup, Interesting Information!

So I have been trying to figure something out for the last week or two, and I've found the solution, finally.

I'm using instant ocean salt for my water, I read the instructions several times, it pretty much says 1/2 cup salt per gallon of water. So I mix up the salt and water, 1/2 cup per gallon, hmm my SG is really low. I mixed correctly but the reading is way too low. So I added more cups, getting better. By the time I got the SG right and making sure I let the IO dissolve for a day I was up to 3/4 cup a gallon. So I've been trying to figure out what the deal is.

I just bought a 35 gallon rubbermaid tub for water changes. I filled up the tub, to about 30 gallons. I go to grab my measuring cup, the one I've been using. Turns out I left it in the sink, kind of gross, so I have to find a new measuring cup. So I grab my nice metal pampered chef cup and something comes to mind. The old measuring cup I was using (the one that came with my rice cooker) looks smaller. At first I just think, well it's just taller it has to be the right size, right? At the time I thought I was rather stupid to question this, so to ease my brain I filled up the old measuring cup with water, and then dumped the water into the new measuring cup. Well that's strange I was right, the old measuring cup was about a 1/4 cup smaller.

That's just crazy, right? So now I start looking at all my measuring cups, turns out I don't have any one cup measuring cups that are the same. 1/4 more, 1/4 less, 1/8 more, 1/8 less. WHAT'S THE DEAL HERE?

I guess the point I'm trying to make is never trust a measuring cup, also, always use the same cup, and that way you won't run into the little problem I did. If you want to know what a real cup is, trust a good brand, and hey this might even help you with your cooking

Cheers!

 

Great post. That's good to know. And think about ... pays to have the right tools.

 

Wow, Would have never guessed that. you Know I don't think I've ever read the instructions on the salt bucket. I've always just added salt to the correct SG. I use the same cup and now know that for 10G it's about 5 cups (My Cup LOL)

I'll keep this in mind if I ever use a different cup

J

 

5 cups for 10 gallons sounds right, maybe you have a real cup.

I don't know how I got so screwed. I'm mean seriously they're all different.
Even the oz is wrong.

I think I'll go metric. ;D

 

I found a long time ago a nice plastic tumbler (I think it was Tupperware) that I have added calibrated markings in Gallons. If I want 5 gallons I put salt in the tumbler to the 5 gallon mark. I can make 5 to 20 gallons in 1 gallon increments. ;D

Mike

 

I have always added the salt, stirred, checked the s.g. and added water or more salt as needed ??

Jim

 

Wow, that is too crazy...think of all the terrible cooks out there, when it can all be blamed on bad quality control in the factory! I wanna go home right now and check all my measuring cups, and spoons for that matter....hehehe

I usually add the suggested amount per gallon to my water....mix...then adjust...as mine is always very low too, I also use Instant Ocean.....like the tumbler idea though....good one!

 

I usually put in 2 cups less then directed, and then go from there. Much easier now that I have a correct cup.

IO seems to be bit off, plus its cloudy for days. Other than that it seems ok. Most major aquariums use it.

 

That would explain my wifes cooking . I always weigh my salt so that no matter what the same amount of salt goes in to my water.

 

Good thinking!